Functional characteristics of a yogurt containing GOS obtained from enzymatic action on milk lactose: effect on calcium absorption

SEIJO M.; CLAUDIA INÉS VÉNICA; PITA MARTIN DE PORTELAM. LUZ; BERGAMINI, CARINA VIVIANA; IRMA VERÓNICA WOLF; MARÍA CRISTINA PEROTTI; SUSANA ZENI

Valencia

Congreso; 45th European Calcified Tissue Society Congress (ECTS-2018); 2018

The galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are bioactive carbohydrates present in human milk that induce beneficial effects in breastfed infant intestinal microbiota. They could be incorporated in dairy products, such as yogurt, from enzymatic action on the milk lactose. This milk product consumption changes the gut microbiota composition which releases metabolites associated with increased mineral absorption that improve bone health. Objective: to evaluate during growth, the prebiotic effect of a yogurt containing GOS on calcium absorption. Male weaning Wistar rats (n=10 per group) received during 30 days AIN´93-G control diet (CD) or diet based on the yogurt containing GOS produced by β-galactosidase added during its preparation (ED), and calcium and protein according to AIN´93-G. Determinations: dietary consumption three times per week; body weight (BW) and faecal Lactobacilli(LB) colonies weekly; Ca absorption during the last 3 days of the experience and caecal pH and short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) at the end of the study. Result as mean±SD. No differences in dietary consumption or BW were found (16.6±2.7 vs. 16.4±0.6 g and 229±13 vs. 214±5 g, respectively). ED compared to CD group showed an increased in faecal LB colonies (p< 0.05) from the first week of experience; a significant lower caecal pH (5.2±0.1 vs.6.8 ±0.1; p< 0.01) and higher SCFAs production (propionic acid: 14.59±3.62 vs. 4.33±1.01 mg; butyric acid: 14.45±3.02 vs. 2.76±0.75 mg; p< 0.001) at the end of the experience. ED group also had a significant increase in Ca absorption percentage (84.8±1.4 vs. 78.3±9.4%; p< 0.05) representing approximately 10% increase in mg /day of Ca absorption Conclusion: These results evidence the functional characteristics of the product (lower caecum pH, higher growing of LB colonies and high LCFA production) that could be the responsible, at least in part, of inducing the effect on Ca absorption which may beneficiate bone health.